The Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), set up in 1988 as part of the Kingdom's offset program, has signed a agreement with the French Company Talis Electronics (formerly Thompson-CSF), which will purchase AEC's infrared 'Sophie' night vision goggles. Prior technical cooperation between the two companies includes a similar 1999 contract, and AEC President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Suqair noted that the manufacture and sale of these advanced devices in Riyadh reflect the great trust put in the manufacturing and engineering capability of the company, the high quality of its products and the advanced level of its national employees.